Lesley Mary Close

I am a funeral celebrant who creates and delivers bespoke and meaningful ceremonies. I will work alongside you, with courtesy, care and compassion, as we create a unique ceremony which reflects your wishes and beliefs.

If you would like to arrange a burial, cremation, memorial or interment of ashes, please contact me to find out how we can create the perfect ceremony together. If you want to arrange your own funeral, whether or not you know you will need it soon, I would be honoured to help you.

Natural or woodland burials are a wonderful way to pay tribute to someone you love. I would be pleased to use my experience of these ceremonies, with their more relaxed structure, to help you arrange a personal and less time-critical funeral.

Wherever the ceremony takes place, I always look for the best way to create a tribute which brings harmony between the deceased, their family and the environment.

I work in West London as well as throughoutThe Chilterns and The Vale of Aylesbury.

Your choice

In contrast to the fixed format of a religious service, the funeral we create for your loved one can include or omit whatever you feel is appropriate.

However much of the work you assign to me, you will always be in control of the process of creating a unique, personal and honest funeral.

Working together

By working closely you and I will produce a personalised funeral ceremony which both mourns your loved one’s death and celebrates their life.

I will make whatever amendments are needed to the final draft of the eulogy before it is delivered during the ceremony, either by me or by someone else.

A family-led funeral

Together we will design, create and deliver a funeral ceremony for your loved one which will bring you comfort and honour your loved one’s memory while enabling you to say a meaningful goodbye to them.

Family members of all ages are welcome to take part in creating and delivering the ceremony.

Contact me

You can ring me on 01494 581388 at home, or 07950 638849 (my mobile number)

Mavis

"We would all like to thank you for taking the service in a very special way. We felt that it was indeed a celebration of his life. You have a beautiful voice which several people commented on."

Hilary and family

"Thank you for everything you did on Saturday. It was an incredible day, sad but lovely.”

Richard, Debbie and Maisy

“I just wanted to thank you for everything you did for our family at the recent funeral of our dear mother. After the service we had so many comments on what a beautiful service it was and I think a large part of that was down to you and the way you presented the celebration of her life. Many people also commented on how you sounded as though you'd known her all her life and I think that is testament to your professionalism and caring demeanour so I can only thank you for making what was an extremely difficult time for all of us a little easier to bear."

About me

My wide-ranging life experience enables me to bring a variety of soft- and vocational-skills to the deeply fulfilling role of funeral celebrant. I am a good listener, an accurate note-taker, an accomplished writer, a confident public speaker and a tuneful singer.

My one-to-one training was provided by The UK Society of Celebrants and I am a member of The Good Funeral Guild.